Buyers at online auctions and classified sites aren't the only ones who stand to lose money if they get caught in a scam. During National Cyber Security Awareness Month, advocates are issuing a warning to sellers as well.
Did you know that the online classified sales site Craigslist receives more than 100 million new posts every month? Billions of dollars in merchandise are bought and sold through the Web site every year. Similarly eye-opening: eBay reports over 112 million active users who have bought or sold an item in the last year. With so many transactions being processed and money changing hands, many scammers see Craigslist, eBay, and other online marketplaces as the perfect place to take advantage of consumers. In typical online buying scams, the buyer is at risk of “purchasing” fake or non-existing products. However, scams targeting the sellers of goods should be a concern to consumers as well. Seller, beware!
October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month. All month NCL, in partnership with the National Cyber Security Alliance, theDepartment of Homeland Security, and many other organizations is encouraging consumers to adopt safer online habits. Fraudsters often target people through email, tricking consumers into divulging personal information that leads to a scam. NCL’s Fraud.org receives hundreds of complaints every month from people who have been scammed online. Two consumers who fell victim to the fake buyer scam shared their stories with us recently.
This summer, a woman we’ll call “Mary” from New Jersey listed her Blackberry z10 smartphone on eBay for $425. She was elated when the auction closed and the phone sold for $485, well above her asking price. Upon receiving an email from “PayPal” saying the buyer had paid, Mary was ready to ship the phone. The buyer requested that Mary send the phone to Africa for the buyer’s son’s birthday, which she did. Days passed by and then weeks. Mary desperately tried to contact the buyer but was unable to reach her and later found out that the “PayPal” email was a forgery.
Did you know that the online classified sales site Craigslist receives more than 100 million new posts every month? Billions of dollars in merchandise are bought and sold through the Web site every year. Similarly eye-opening: eBay reports over 112 million active users who have bought or sold an item in the last year. With so many transactions being processed and money changing hands, many scammers see Craigslist, eBay, and other online marketplaces as the perfect place to take advantage of consumers. In typical online buying scams, the buyer is at risk of “purchasing” fake or non-existing products. However, scams targeting the sellers of goods should be a concern to consumers as well. Seller, beware!
October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month. All month NCL, in partnership with the National Cyber Security Alliance, theDepartment of Homeland Security, and many other organizations is encouraging consumers to adopt safer online habits. Fraudsters often target people through email, tricking consumers into divulging personal information that leads to a scam. NCL’s Fraud.org receives hundreds of complaints every month from people who have been scammed online. Two consumers who fell victim to the fake buyer scam shared their stories with us recently.
This summer, a woman we’ll call “Mary” from New Jersey listed her Blackberry z10 smartphone on eBay for $425. She was elated when the auction closed and the phone sold for $485, well above her asking price. Upon receiving an email from “PayPal” saying the buyer had paid, Mary was ready to ship the phone. The buyer requested that Mary send the phone to Africa for the buyer’s son’s birthday, which she did. Days passed by and then weeks. Mary desperately tried to contact the buyer but was unable to reach her and later found out that the “PayPal” email was a forgery.
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